AN analysis of the brilliance of Lionel Messi will take place in a Glasgow boozer this week rather than the pitch at the Nou Camp.

For that, Celtic fans will be grateful after injury denied the Argentine genius the chance to line up against the Hoops tonight.

But then again . . .

The magical skills of the man nicknamed ‘The Flea’ are revered by opposition fans and players who will bookmark their careers and spectating highlights with the times they spent in the company of arguably the greatest player in the history of football.

To that end there will be Celtic players and fans disappointed not to face Messi, even if they will be spared his ability to wreak havoc in their penalty box.

It is billed as an evening of football chat but the focus will be on Messi in particular following the launch of Balague’s wonderful book on the little marvel.

Balague said: “It’s quite timely, with Barcelona playing Celtic this week. Celtic could scare them, you know. It’s the perfect time to play them. They are lacking confidence after their first two defeats of the season at Ajax and Athletic Bilbao.

“It could be a night for one of those famous Celtic victories.”

The Parkhead side’s chances are helped by the absence of Messi, whom Balague rates the best ever, even if he risks accusations of bias.

However, his story is no Hollywood cuts job. It is a complete, professional profile of Messi and Balague was given access to his family, his coaches, players, directors and managers to write the most compelling book on the player to date.

Barcelona president Sandro Rossell has written the foreword and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has even analysed the four glory-laden years when they worked together in Catalonia.

Balague added: “People know the basics about Messi – his move to Barcelona as a kid when the club agreed to fund his growth hormone treatment, for example.

“However, those around him are very protective and it’s hard to get inside his world. Also, so many false stories have been told about him and myths have been built up.

“There are so many stories about Messi aged 11 and 12 winning games on his own for his boys club in Rosario. On one occasion, his team were 1-0 down and he was nowhere to be seen.

“Turns out, he was stuck in a toilet but freed himself through a window in time for the second half and inspired his side to win 3-1. But people tell these stories as if Messi was the best in the world even then, not a kid. There’s such an aura around him, a rewriting of history.

“I’ve met him many times and he dribbles around journalists as much he does opposition defenders. I very much doubt if he can explain his talent and his story, that’s why it was important to speak with others around him – his dad, family, fellow players.

“I’m not sure I found answers the family necessarily wanted and it led me to conclude that if I had a kid I wouldn’t necessarily want him to be a footballer. Messi has come through so much and made so many sacrifices to get to this position. He’s 26 and sometimes it seems he’s a 12-year-old, at other times he’s 40.

“He has been toughened up by all he has come through. At 17 he was playing for five different teams in the Barcelona set-up and it wasn’t always about progressing him as a player so much as winning games. It hardened him.”

Balague’s respect for Messi’s talent knows no bounds but he acknowledges he won’t convince his doubters until he is a World Cup winner, like Maradona and Pele.

Messi has never been loved by the Argentine public until recently but Balague knows he will reach superhero status if he inspires them to victory in Rio next summer. He added: “It’s fair to say many will not consider him the best until he wins the World Cup.

“Pep Guardiola believes he is the best ever and I think so too. In 2008, football was all about Essien, Lampard and Makelele. No one dribbled and it was hard to beat lines of players with individual skill.

“Then Messi arrived and showed everyone a different way but he has not had professional happiness with club and country at the same time. Now he has finally been accepted by Argentina who have acknowledged they must build their team around him.

“However, that has come at a time when Barcelona are failing. They are playing more direct passes and diagonal balls. They’re going for revolution under Martino when it should have been evolution.

“Still, this World Cup is the one for Messi. He’ll be 27 and at his peak. It’s my dream to see an Argentina-Brazil final.”

Ah, but even if he finally won the World Cup to go with his countless Spanish titles, Champions Leagues and four Ballon d’Ors, would Messi be happy? Balague said: “Messi is doing what he always wanted to do, but it is very lonely at the top.”

? Messi by Guillem Balague is available from Orion Books, priced £20.

Guillem will be joined by Gabriele Marcoti and Albert Ferrer at Walkabout, Renfield Street, Glasgow tomorrow from 6.30pm. For further details check out www.seetickets.com.